GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Antelope Valley knocks off short-handed Bell-Jeff

The sequel didn't quite match the intensity or the impressive scoring pace of last year's Southern Section Div. III-A girls' basketball quarterfinal battle, but Antelope Valley earned a measure of revenge Wednesday over a short-handed Bell-Jeff team in the Inglewood tournament with a 53-39 pool-play victory.

Seniors Keiona Mathews and Destini Price combined to score 43 points for the Antelopes, including 26 of Antelope Valley's 28 first-half points. Mathews finished with 22 points and Price added 21.

"I think I could have played harder," Mathews said. "I feel I have to work more on my rebounding, boxing out and work harder as one of the leaders of this team."

Antelope Valley atoned for its 77-73 playoff loss at Bell-Jeff last season.

"We have to buckle down on defense and be smarter with the ball," Antelope Valley coach Dion Price. "We feel we could have played harder with less turnovers."

The Guards were playing short-handed, missing four starters who were away on a retreat. Bell-Jeff was led by senior Kiah Jones and Averie Guzman, who each scored 10 points.

"Being down four starters, I feel my junior varsity players stepped it up," Bell-Jeff coach Jaclyn Johnson said. "I could not have been more prouder of their effort."